Graeme

I still haven't voted

Thank you, everyone. It's been a pleasant day. We went out for dinner, taking the two boys with us, and had a great time. It's been nothing extra-special, but just a good day together. The weather even played its part in the nostalgia and attempted to rain.... We had an outdoor wedding, seventeen years ago, and for a while we were wondering if we'd have to move it inside. Happily, the rain stopped in the afternoon, and there was even a few rays of sunshine during the actual ceremony I have to admit that there were doubts that we'd make it to 15 years, as it was during our 14th year that I came out to my wife. I'm happy to say that, after an initial crisis, our relationship is as strong as it has ever been. I'm no longer hiding things from her, and keep her informed as to what is going on with my online life. For example, she was pleasantly surprised when I told her about this thread -- she (and I) hadn't expected it Thanks again, everyone!

And now you know that sometime in the next two days (hopefully) there'll be another "new to me" chapter

I know it wasn't intended, but you're a cruel person, Kevin There's a new chapter of LTMP due very, very soon (as in within 48 hours), and your post made me go check to see if has been posted early. It's not up yet I've got to go another day or two before I find out what's happened next....

I don't think he'll have a problem. There seems to be special rules on quarantine for GA members, as I've never had any problems getting into the USA.

My sincerest apologies for not saying hello earlier I missed your post. :wacko: Yes, we're crazy, but given this is the forum for a fiction (at least I hope it's fiction) writing goat who seems to be in endless fear of being attacked by echidna spines if he gives out spoilers well, wouldn't you be a little crazy, too As for your last question, I think we should leave it up to Her Majesty as to whether he wants us to use an anthem.

Happy 25th Birthday! Best wishes for the future -- may it bring you everything you desire.

Happy Birthday, Jeff! I hope this year is a whole lot better than your last better. May all your dreams come true

You've only just noticed this thread? Is there something we've been doing wrong? A thread dedicated to the most prolific self-titled lurker in GA history, and you didn't see it? We need to advertise better....

Does that mean you don't want me to vote for you? I can, if you like. My vote's available for sale.... Actually, with the help you've given me recently, I may give you my vote anyway, as a thank you

Welcome back!

I should point out that CJ made 3000 posts in his first year. His first thousand was at around the six month mark, so you can see that his posting rate really accelerated from that point. BeaStKid's figures are also distorted because he didn't post much when he first joined. We really should look at his posting from when he started to get involved, not his join date. On the voting, though, I could use my vote as an encouragement reward for someone who has recently started to emulate CJ in his posting habits... Benji

Ah, but when I looked at the top 20 posters for the day, your name was at the top. Maybe you should get the vote... This is a tough call...

I'm celebrating 17 years today That is, 17 years ago, two of us said 'I do' when asked a certain question.

While not everyone needs the big vehicles, they have their uses. eg. We own two vehicles. One is a tiny vehicle that I drive. I use it because I do a lot of city travel and the smaller size is easier to park and use in peak hour travel. It's not as safe as a more robust car, but I'm budgeting on not being in a major accident. The second vehicle is a large, heavy four-wheel drive. We have that because the legislation states that the towing vehicle has to be heavier than what is being towed. Since my wife uses a horse float to transport her horse to shows (at least prior to Equine Influenza shutting everything down), she needed a large vehicle. I get great fuel economy from my car -- between 6 and 7 litres per 100km -- but I will be looking for a larger vehicle sometime soon. The only real reason is that because I'm reasonably tall, I have the driver's seat all the way back, and there is no longer enough leg room for the boys when they sit behind me. We need a replacement vehicle that they can be comfortable in.

I don't watch a lot of news or TV, preferring to get my news from the newspaper websites. However, I sometimes like to watch, just so I can get upset I've been told that raising the blood pressure occasionally is good for you (only joking).

I'm celebrating being home again. I like to travel, but I hate being away from home, and long travel days... go figure

Joe has the files for posting. I'm not blaming him. I'm just reminding him to be around so the next chapter can be posted....

If you would like to catch up, just say so. I still haven't voted.... I keep looking at this thread and noticing how many posts Benji and BeaStKid have posted and I find the mouse moving to vote for them.... So far I've resisted, so if I vote for Kevin, it'll stop the temptation...

I believe it will be less than 42, so I'm going for 41. The reason it will be less than 42 is that that is the record number of posts in a single day (held by AFriendlyFace), according to CJ. He's too nice a guy to break that record....

I do believe you're right, and I'm kicking myself for not spotting the subtle hint before. Thanks, Ieshwar! Do you think he'd like an Australian Christmas? Most people here don't eat goat on that day....

Talk to rknapp. He's keen to work on alternative energy sources, and he's got a vested interested in making sure they'll be cheap to run (given his mania for cars)

Possibly, but the political situation in the USA is different to Australia. We're a small player, and the government has less say over the fuel prices (having said that, I believe something like 40% of the price is taxes and excise...). In the USA, it would be a battle between "the market" philosophy, where the market decides what you should pay, and which could end up being just a bit below world prices, and political reality where the government realises that allowing prices to go up too much too quickly would be political suicide. Of course, the USA is also the world-leading proponent on free-markets, so who knows....

Fire crackers (and all fireworks) are banned in Australia unless used by a licensed technician. We still have firework displays, but private individuals letting off fireworks is illegal (still happens, though). Congratulations, Benji! I hope it works out

A little bit more than Australia, but not be a lot. Europe, as other have indicated, is a lot more expensive. Australia has the advantage that we have our own oil fields. The problem is that the oil companies have successfully argued with the government that unless they can charge world prices, they'll just ship the oil to Singapore and sell it there because they'll make more money that way. This means that we pay world prices, even though it should, in theory, be a lot cheaper here (like in close to USA prices).